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The secret pain at night: Are the early symptoms of osteosarcoma so subtle?
Osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer that is often found in adolescence and young adults, may have initial symptoms that are subtle and difficult to recognize. Many patients report increased pain at night, which may come and go and vary in intensity, and may have been present for some time. Particularly for active teenage athletes, pain below the knee or lower thigh is particularly noticeable and is often mistaken for a sports injury or growing pains.
The symptoms of osteosarcoma include local swelling, which is more obvious if the tumor is larger. In some cases, there may even be a sudden fracture due to injury because the bone strength is lower than normal.
For some deeper tumors, especially in areas such as the pelvis, the swelling may not be obvious, which also makes early diagnosis more difficult. At this time, the vigilance of parents and medical workers is particularly important, because these weak signals may be life-threatening warnings.
Causes and risk factors of osteosarcoma
Current research shows that the causes of osteosarcoma are quite diverse and may be related to mutations in cancer stem cells, certain oncogenes, and specific drugs such as radiotherapy. Familial cases show chromosomal abnormalities, such as deletion of chromosome 13, which are associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma.
Skeletal developmental abnormalities, such as Paget's disease, fibrous dysplasia, and hereditary multiple extraosseous growths, may increase the risk of osteosarcoma.
Diagnosis and imaging examination
The first step in diagnosing osteosarcoma is usually an X-ray. Characteristic images show "sunray-like" and "Codman's triangle" shapes, which are the effects of new bone formation caused by tumors. CT scans are more suitable for examining the integrity of bones and the anatomical characteristics of different bones.
MRI scans can better demonstrate the condition of soft tissues and tumors in the bone marrow cavity, which is a key step in diagnosis and subsequent treatment. At this time, early detection of imaging results is crucial, and early signs captured during routine examinations can have a significant impact on treatment and prognosis.
Treatment methods of osteosarcoma
In the treatment of osteosarcoma, the most common approach is to perform a complete surgical excision, called a "mass resection", which requires a skilled surgeon and in many cases can be achieved with limb salvage. Surgery avoids amputation. However, the risk of postoperative infection and recurrence remains.
Chemotherapy is also an important adjuvant treatment and is mainly performed before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor and improve the success rate of resection.
The tumor cell necrosis rate after chemotherapy is an important indicator for evaluating prognosis, which can help doctors adjust postoperative treatment plans. Although existing chemotherapy treatments are quite successful for some patients, survival rates for osteosarcoma remain relatively low compared with other childhood cancers.
Prognosis
Prognosis is divided into three groups, with significant differences in expected cure rates based on the type and location of the tumor. The prognosis of high-grade osteosarcoma, especially with lung metastasis, is affected by multiple factors, including the resectability of the primary tumor and the degree of necrosis.
Even with promising early symptoms, the overall survival rate of the final patient is still affected by multiple factors. Only through early vigilance and scientific treatment methods can the chance of survival be improved.
Osteosarcoma is one of the main types of cancer among adolescents and requires the joint attention and timely intervention of parents and medical personnel. So, when someone around you is experiencing hidden pain, can you also see the invisible warning signs?
